charityadventure

Hi All,

Thought I'd start a thread so we can see how we are getting on with the training and encourage each other.

It feels like it may be a bit easier now the light nights are here and the weather hopefully is improving, although I admit if the weather is rubbish I would not usually go out for 'a ride for pleasure'(probably prefer to go tho the pub). Hopefully it won't pour down every weekend between now and June otherwise I'm in trouble!

I usually try to cycle to work 4 days a week (only a 4 mile round trip but better than nothing)

I started going a bit further the last couple ofweekends and managed 15 miles last Sunday. Didn't feel to bad ....just multiply that by 16.....help!!!

Lorna

Hi Lorna, don't worry...last year the longest ride I had done was 50 miles (and that was the weekend before we left), everything before than was usually about 15. We all got there (some easier than others), but as long as your bum is used to being in the saddle you will be fine... I'm far less stressed about it this year, because fortunately I pretty much kept my cyling fitness up over the winter, but even if not, you get back into it fairly quickly...

I find logging my miles on the web helps (I use cyclogs.org.uk, but there is also bikejournal and others...) . If you want a friendly internet forum with loads of cycling advice (plus non-cycling stuff), try cyclechat.co.uk. There is at least 3 of this years Amsterdamers on there regularly (me as punkypossum and puddleglum and Helen123 are also coming).

Anyway, you'll be fine!

Jana

Oops, I just started a thread then saw yours Lorna. I know what you mean about the light nights. I cycle to work 2 or 3 times a week and am more tempted to take a longer way home now. Is that an option for you? It would be an easy way to add a few miles a week. 15 miles is a good distance to have done already. Keep pedalling!

Helen

For those of you suffering with aching wrists, aching elbows, aching knees can I just suggest a trip to a local reputable bike shop and ask them kindly if they'd set up your bike for you.

They'll make sure that the seat is at the right height and far enough forwards or backwards so that you're not putting undue pressure on your knees or too much weight on your arms.

You can ask them how much a service for you bike is at the same time!!

Also, make sure that your tyres are pumped up to within 5-10psi of the maximum allowed. On the side of your tyres it'll say something like 'MAX 65psi'. You should make sure you get them pumped up to at least 55-60psi. It will make your rides so much easier!

And talking of tyres, if you have a mountain bike, consider swapping the knobble MTB tyres for smooth road tyres. This will mean less effort is required to cycle to Amsterdam and back since we'll not be doing any off-roading!!

Are we not??? What do you call that bit near Starbucks then that will throw you straight in the river if you come off the wrong way? Or have you eliminated it from this year's route?

Is there really no off-roading? I'm trying to decide whether to ride my hybrid or my new touring bike.

By off-roading I'm obviously not including the bridleways, bumpy sections down by the side of the humber, and so-on

Off-roading would be anything that involved getting knee deep in mud, tree roots and nettles!

A mountain bike with road tyres or a hybrid would be perfect for this trip. I wouldn't suggest a road bike although the trip has been done on them before (not least by one of our ride guides this year, Shell "Head down bum up" Morris!).

Thanks! Thought I'd check as Jana had warned me there were a few rough sections.

And then there is always the option of doing all your training on knobblies and then switching to road tyres just before the ride like I did last year - makes it feel effortless all of a sudden!!!